Calling

I've been reading and discussing a lot about faith lately. Namely, with my friends at Utah's Communion and Liberation group, Fr. James Martin's "My Life with the Saints" and the late Fr. Luigi Giusanni's "It is Possible to Live the Way: Vol 3 - Charity."

Readings and discussions on faith invariably evoke thoughts about a "calling." As one wends through all of this, it seems that callings are rarely revealed through an overt experience with God....but rather discerned overtime, through a series of experiments, experiences (often bumpy ones), contemplation followed by more of the same (albeit more refined, more inspired.) The identification of one's calling seems to arise from a deep awareness of these events and the motivation to act upon what "feels" right spiritually. No recipe, no formula, no graded results, no absolute certainty.

It's just ourselves, together with the subtle steadiness of God, journeying towards the highest-and-best use of our person in this lifetime.

Seem too abstract, t00 "1990s" to be useful?

Not in my life. Since my return to the Church (and from Iraq), my sense of duty, meaning and passion has been redirected towards certain acts of service. The things that satisfied me formerly (such as working on "important" policy issues with "important" people) have completely given way to a determination to work directly in my community and parish to help alleviate suffering, build human connections, and foster faith. These are not big or bold initiatives by any measure. And I share each building block with many others. Yet, I'm surprised at the intensity of my passion for this work and my sense of rightness with each step forward.

Does this mean my calling is clear? Not exactly. Instead, however, a rewarding path is unfolding in front of me that (I'm confident) will guide me to a clearer definition of my life's purpose.

And so it goes for us all, I believe.